Is sailing a spiritual experience?

dylanwinter

dylanwinter

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just wondered if it was for you guys

I personally believe in physics rather than a bloke in the clouds who bares a more than a passing resemblance to Searush

but there are times when sailing feels almost spiritual

certainly emotionally fulfilling

I can feel a blog coming on

Dylan
 
Dunno about it being spiritual but the feeling I get when I the engine goes off and the boat heels to the breeze at the start of a trip away to the islands for a week or three is a deep and meaningful one...
 
Very often, but not always. A twenty mile wet beat (even in a traditional long keeler) on a hangover can be anything but.
 
Phoenix of Hamble said:
There's been the odd night passage while alone at the helm when i've found myself suddenly laughing out loud and full of joy..... I guess that's a 'spiritual' experience of sorts... but i'd prefer the term 'uplifting'
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That bit I do agree with. Sailing with a pal we always end up squabbling over who gets the midnight to 4 am watch because its such a great experience, particularly if the weather is a bit breezy.

I can still remember my first Biscay crossing at night with all the stars out, a nice F4 NW breeze and sheets of phosphorescence on the sea. Crew down below ( being alone is essential to the enjoyment), engine off, radio off, some ballads on the mp3 player and a supply of ships biscuits ( aka rock cakes) and tea. Just the swish of the wake.
 
dylanwinter said:
just wondered if it was for you guys

I personally believe in physics rather than a bloke in the clouds who bares a more than a passing resemblance to Searush

but there are times when sailing feels almost spiritual

certainly emotionally fulfilling

I can feel a blog coming on

Dylan
Click to expand...

Absolutely it is, at one with nature and all that sort of stuff
 
Spiritual implies something that I don't believe in.

Magical doesn't work either, for the same reason.

However, that engine off/lock shaft moment is always glorious. I must have done it over 5,000 times.

Somewere probably "Oh ****, might as well turn it off it's not going to help" but I don't specifically remember them!

But the Physics moments don't stop there. Isn't it lucky that windshear works the way it does? If it didn't our mainsheets et al would have to hang on a pole from the masthead. There are others.

But as a contra. I quite like it when then the engine starts and we tidy the boat before we get to the parking spot with food/beer in sight.
 
It is without doubt a spiritual experience, especially if you go far and long.

My 6 years away on the boat will never leave me.

Mid-Atlantic at night, when your nearest human neighbours are the guys 200 miles up in the international space station, the nearest land is three miles straight down and you have a 40 ft whale alongside for company is pretty moving.
 
Rossynant said:
Have you seen Aivazovsky paintings of the stormy sea? (Иван Константинович Айвазовский)
Never believed it possible, until saw myself, at full moon and F12.
This was divine; after 30 years I feel it. Almighty.

(Should I say being a scientist?)
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Thanks for the heads up on that artist, some beutiful paitings :-
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=%D0%98%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD+%D0%9A%D0%BE%D0%BD%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87+%D0%90%D0%B9%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9&hl=en&safe=off&tbo=d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=uD4QUYK3KNKFhQeN5IHYDQ&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAA&biw=1366&bih=640#imgrc=cnb97a_1wJbh-M%3A%3BFu50yYvA_M8UKM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fart-pics.ru%252Fpics%252F290%252F%25D0%2590%25D0%25B9%25D0%25B2%25D0%25B0%25D0%25B7%25D0%25BE%25D0%25B2%25D1%2581%25D0%25BA%25D0%25B8%25D0%25B9%252520%25D0%2598%25D0%25B2%25D0%25B0%25D0%25BD%252520%25D0%259A%25D0%25BE%25D0%25BD%25D1%2581%25D1%2582%25D0%25B0%25D0%25BD%25D1%2582%25D0%25B8%25D0%25BD%25D0%25BE%25D0%25B2%25D0%25B8%25D1%2587-%25D0%25A3%25D1%2580%25D0%25B0%25D0%25B3%25D0%25B0%25D0%25BD%252520%25D0%25BD%25D0%25B0%252520%25D0%25BC%25D0%25BE%25D1%2580%25D0%25B5.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fart-pics.ru%252F%253Fhud%253DAjvazovskij%252520Ivan%252520Konstantinovich%2526picture%253D290%3B1609%3B1058
 
jonic said:
if you go far and long
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Done that but in chunks of less than 200 Miles at most.

My most significant sailing moment was getting what seemed like eye contact with a Leatherback Turtle in the North Ionian. With a 400 year lifespan, it might have done the same for Nelson.
 
boguing said:
Done that but in chunks of less than 200 Miles at most.

My most significant sailing moment was getting what seemed like eye contact with a Leatherback Turtle in the North Ionian. With a 400 year lifespan, it might have done the same for Nelson.
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Don't think so, back then they would have probably ate it!
 
Phoenix of Hamble said:
There's been the odd night passage while alone at the helm when i've found myself suddenly laughing out loud and full of joy..... I guess that's a 'spiritual' experience of sorts... but i'd prefer the term 'uplifting'
Click to expand...

I'd go for "insane" :D

I know what you both mean. I've been excited at sea, and so very tranquil drifting up the broads with the tide. I don't do spiritual though; it makes me think of the weird wives of business men pedalling magic crystals from their specially converted spare bedrooms.
 
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